Although I LOVE the concept of learning language through literature, I felt that the activities in this book were incredibly shallow, work-booky type exercises that did not encourage depth of thought, creativity, or true understanding. I will be trying to resell this book unused through my homeschool co-op. Very disappointed in this.

Learning Language Arts through Literature is based on the educational philosophy of Dr. Ruth Beechick and her natural learning method as outlined in her books, "The Three R'," "Language and Thinking for Young Children," and "You Can Teach Your Child Successfully." The curriculum is authored by the late Debbie Strayer, a homeschooling mother, teacher, author and public speaker, and Susan S. Simpson, a teacher, author and publisher.

Learning Language Arts through Literature Purple Book is a comprehensive language arts curriculum which teaches spelling, reading, grammar, composition, research and study skills, and higher order thinking skills, creative expression and penmanship. The authors have chosen "real books" which are the back bone for the curriculum's book studies. "Real Book" selections include: "Farmer Boy," "The Trumpet of the Swan," "Meet Addy," and "Caddie Woodlawn." Literature passages from "real books" such as Mr. Popper's Penguins," "David Livingstone, Foe of Darkness," "Strawberry Girl," "Amos Fortune, Free Man," and "Color the Classics" are utilized for copy work and dictation. The Purple Book includes three units: Speech Making, Poetry, Oral Presentation of Folk Tales and Tall Tales.

*Learning Language Arts through Literature incorporates creative expression activities such as choral reading, family tree, interviewing, memorizing, role playing and speech making into the daily lesson plans.

The instructors guide is comprised of easy to use lesson plans spanning a period of 36 weeks. Each lesson is made up of the following components: New Skills Taught, Materials Needed, Scripted Lesson Plan, Higher Order Thinking Skills, Answers, Examples, Diagrams and References to the student activity book. The Skills Index is an easy to use reference for the teaching parent. Assessments allow the teacher to evaluate the student's progress. Review activities follow the lessons to provide the student with additional skills practice. Placement tests are available online at the Common Sense Press website.

As a homeschooler, I have perused several language arts curriculums. I cannot praise this curriculum enough! Learning Language Arts through Literature receives an A+ from this homeschooling parent!

I have used the orange book and now the purple book for homeschooling my 5-6th grader. I love the way it teaches parts of speech and encourages writing. It also encourages reading of different genre that my son wouldn't usually read.